Medication for a Fearful Dog

Dog anxiety can be reduced with medication similar to that prescribed for humans suffering from anxiety. However, medication is best used in conjunction with behavior modification, which can help permanently eliminate your dog's fears.

  1. Significance

    • Dogs that suffer from fear and anxiety often live unhappy lives filled with constant stress and worry. Often these problems can be cured with training but many dogs are so stressed that medication must be considered.

    Types

    • Clomicalm, used to treat separation anxiety, is the only drug approved for treatment of animal anxiety. However, many veterinarians prescribe human antidepressants such as benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants at lower dosage. Commonly prescribed are Xanax and Prozac.

    Considerations

    • Consult a veterinarian for recommended medication and dosage. Some medications need to be gradually increased and decreased according to a doctor's recommendation or else side effects, such as sudden behavior changes, can develop.

    Warnings

    • Long-term use of antianxiety medication can include liver and kidney problems. If your dog is placed on medication for an extended time, have his liver and kidney enzymes tested at least annually.

    Behavior Modification

    • To avoid long-term dependency on medication, use it in conjunction with behavior modification, during which you alleviate your dog's fears. For example, if he is afraid of loud noises, play a CD of noises at a low level while giving him treats so he has positive association with the noises. Gradually increase the volume as he grows more comfortable.